I'm wondering with the rule as written, if in a very close battle, a rider might extend their arm/hand forward to gain a marginal advantage. That seems to me like an unintended possibility of the rule (mostly intended for the crash provision, per above).

I'm wondering with the rule as written, if in a very close battle, a rider might extend their arm/hand forward to gain a marginal advantage. That seems to me like an unintended possibility of the rule (mostly intended for the crash provision, per above).

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This is the real reason Pedrosa retired... he would never outreach anyone for the win.

I'm wondering with the rule as written, if in a very close battle, a rider might extend their arm/hand forward to gain a marginal advantage. That seems to me like an unintended possibility of the rule (mostly intended for the crash provision, per above).

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Was my first thought as well. The new leg dangle? Especially during qualifying?

Neither. Read it again. Front of bike or body, whichever crosses the line after the other part.

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What if you and the bike are sliding backward?

Confusingly written. So it’s the last part of the first ‘piece’ (rider or bike) to cross?

Edit - I think, I got it... whichever part crosses the line second, it will be the front of that. So if you fall off and slide in front of your bike, your time will be when the first part of the bike crosses the line?

Confusingly written. So it’s the last part of the first ‘piece’ (rider or bike) to cross?

Edit - I think, I got it... whichever part crosses the line second, it will be the front of that. So if you fall off and slide in front of your bike, your time will be when the first part of the bike crosses the line?

The wording seems a bit ambiguous as to whether it only applies in a crash situation (where rider and bike are separated) or if it applies in all circumstances.

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There have been situations when, due to a crash, the rider and machine have crossed the line separately. In future, the finish time will be determined by the first part of the rider or his motorcycle, whichever crosses the finish line last.

Yes? New rule is still ambiguous. Starts off explaining why it was made but then doesn't specify that the new rule only kicks in during a crash.

"In the future, the finish time will be determined by the first part of the rider or his motorcycle, whichever crosses the finish line last."

Quite literally this says it doesn't mean squat when the front tire passes the finish line if the rider is in a tuck with both hands on the handlebars. The rider who extends his middle finger will finish in front of the rider who doesn't, all else being equal.

I understand what they're trying to say. I would argue they haven't said it very well. Sooner or later a rider is going to challenge this by attempting a last second "Superman" and produce photographic evidence that both rider and bike were across the line before his competitor even though the first part of his competitor's bike crossed first.